Topic: Matchmakers: AIs playing Cupid -Epilogue- [Playtest Over] [4/4] (Read 12286 times)

Nakéen · « **Reply #210 on:** September 16, 2023, 04:31:19 pm »

Update 21

Beep Boop and Mason the Old Vet (Day 5: 1st Opportunity)

Quote from: Egan_BW on September 16, 2023, 11:39:16 am

Connections with the Teanosa family.
Conflict. Crisis. Those are the elements which can push my host, to grow and change.

Enough data gathering. Assign pairing slot x5 to Mason M. and Wilfred S.

Pairing Slots 1 to 5 allocated to Mason x Wilfrid

Quote from: Incoming transmission...

From: OTP Cabal

You do not disappoint, Matchmaker Beep Boop.
1 InfoCredit has been transferred to your account.
In addition, we have worked out with CUPID to allow a data leak regarding Wilfrid S, which is necessary to push your pairing forward.

We look forward to its completion.

Mission "Identify your ideal pairing." Completed!
Main Objective Reward: 1 InfoCredit

C - Forget about it and call it a day.

As quick as he started self-reflecting, Mason forgot all about it.
"Meh. Why the hang-up?"

He just went on to the usual business, maintaining his gear, practising his various combat skills. In-between the usual, he took a quick nap. And he had one quite vivid dream of days gone past, of roaming the dusty badlands with the Minotaurs. Hell the fun they had! The fun they had... Mason woke up in a daze.

"God I miss them assholes. No way they are dead. No way they are..."

He blankly stared at the ceiling of his bunk room. And blankly stared the rest of the day too, as if still stuck in that dream. They had a meeting with Squad H, and they said some things about Helios, a mission, or whatnot. Mason wasn't really listening. But to you who were listening, they would be deployed next day to root out a Helios cell operating in the wharf, according to the extracted testimony of the captured terrorists.

When the other squad members had left the meeting room, only Karl and Mason were left.
"I'm counting on you Mason."

"What a coincidence, I'm counting on myself too."

Karl sighed.
"Very funny. Mason, I am sincere when I tell you I hope you can become part of the squad. You have the skills to back your words, and despite your eccentricities nearly costing us some missions, you have mostly cooperated with us. I believe in your potential, I ask only that you trust in us. Can you?"

Mason made one of the nastiest frown known to man. He didn't dislike Squad H, but... to be fair he didn't really know why he was so cranky and uncooperative these days. It wasn't worth worrying about. Still, he didn't dislike his current situation. But there was... something lacking? Mason hadn't thought much about it. Or maybe he had and forgot.

Suggestion:

A - Leak to Mason the whereabouts of Wilfrid S. [CUPID authorized leak]
Outcome: Mason will try to find Wilfrid.

B - Go along for the mission.
Acceptance: Default Option
Outcome: will provide opportunities to fight Helios and increase opinion with Squad H.

C - Find an excuse to not participate in the mission.
Acceptance: 40% (60% (Base) -20% (Trust))
Success Chance: 10% (50% (Base) -10% (-30% (Stress))
Success: will provide opportunities to do something else.
Failure: -Opinion with Squad H. Default Option locked.

D - Sneak out.
Acceptance: 40% (60% (Base) -20% (Trust))
Success Chance: 40% (60% (Base) +10% (Stealth) -30% (Stress))
Success: -Opinion with Squad H. Will provide opportunities to do something else.
Failure: -Opinion with Squad H. Default Option locked.

E - Have a honest to goodness talk with Karl.
Acceptance: 40% (60% (Base) -20% (Trust))
Success Chance: 100%
Success: +Mutual Opinion with Karl. Mason will try to stop calling everyones pussies.

Spoiler: Mason the Old Vet (by Egan_BW) (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Beep Boop (OTP Cabal) (click to show/hide)

T1000 and Sven the Prototype (Day 5: 1st Opportunity)

Quote from: Maximum Spin on September 16, 2023, 01:02:18 pm

"Well, in my opinion, the only way to truly understand love is likely to be to experience it yourself, but it couldn't hurt to take some time to familiarize yourself with what humans believe it generally looks like. After all, if you don't know what you're looking for, you might end up finding it and not even knowing. Let's do a quick review of human love-related media and discuss the kind of experiences and feelings that it entails."
A

A - Review romance media.

Romance, a subject that may well be inexhaustible in humanity's imagination. In-between the lines of fiction and reality, there may be some valuable truth to be found?

To maintain some degree of neutrality, you left Sven to ask for recommendations to his acquaintances and to the staff of the medical facility. He received enough study material to immerse himself for weeks, from literature, visual, electronic, classical arts, music, etc... You took upon yourself to sort all of this a bit, selecting the best among the suggestions when it came to the subject of love.

It still left the two of you with a lot of media to review, but fortunately, Sven was a very quick media consumer thanks to his artificial superiority.

Games were cleared in the blink of an eye, and books were finished as fast as if they had been scanned. Music and visual arts took much longer, and very often left Sven much more puzzled than before.

He said while looking at a painting called "Destination of the Lover". That one had a rather pessimistic view on love, representing it as a deep bottomless pit through which fell a bright, near blinding figure. The contrast must have been viewed as beautiful by humans, and the common interpretation of the painting was that love had no destination, it was a scary, dreadful unknown that made people burn beautifully and brightly, and not always to their benefit.
"Music and artworks are difficult for me to understand. Words have clear definitions, rules. While music and artwork are said to also have rules, I fail to grasp them. This painting, I don't feel anything."

Next, he was playing some roleplaying game with dating simulation elements. He had reached a path where your character and a recurring enemy mutually fell in love. For the sake of both their goals, they had one final fight ending with the recurring enemy's death with a smile.
"Both characters seemed in such pain. And why is this character smiling, while crying? Is that love, too? I do think they made the rational decision, they would have become a liability to their respective factions had they gave in. But it's sad. They wouldn't have suffered had they not fallen in love, would they?"

Then in one of the many novel he read, the story ended happily for all after a struggle of sort. Some stories were prude, others a bit more risque, and others were straight our erotica.
"Happiness, carnal desire. Those are easy to understand. But I don't have the impression you need love to attain those."

The more question he asked, the more he seemed lost. A few hours had passed, he was listening to a popular love song that was said to make young people cry.
"I do not feel anything. The music is pleasing to me, but that's it."

Finally, Sven came to a conclusion, sort of.
"I lack a feeling. I think I will be able to understand something if I can... feel. Thank you T1000, these few hours were really educative. I have learnt a lot. I am forming a conjecture. Love is irrational, painful and blissful, and generates a lot of sympathy. Because it is something the great majority of humans experienced, or will experience."

"Am I getting closer to an answer? I await your next suggestion."

Suggestions:

A - Ask advice to the Supervisor.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: opportunities to explore Sven's nature. Will increase Sven's curiosity.

B - Ask advice to his acquaintances.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: opportunities to increase opinion with acquaintances.

C - Play a stupid game called MATCHMAKERS.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: Sven will criticize MATCHMAKERS.

D - Emulate the behaviour of characters from the recently reviewed media. An archetype can be specified.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: could increase opinion with people Sven will interact with, depending on affinity and personality.

Spoiler: Sven the Prototype (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: T1000 (ORHA) (click to show/hide)

Soulbinder and Helena the Clone Heiress (Day 4: 3rd Opportunity)

Pending. MATCHMAKER input required to progress to Day 5.

Spoiler: Helena the Clone Heiress (Host) (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Soulbinder (Eugenia Corporation) (click to show/hide)

AXIUS and Janus the Monster Secretary (Day 4: 3rd Opportunity)

Pending. MATCHMAKER input required to progress to Day 5.

Spoiler: Janus the Monster Secretary (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: AXIUS (AI Research Society) (click to show/hide)

Supernerd · « **Reply #211 on:** September 16, 2023, 04:35:38 pm »

I'll just do the default this time.

Egan_BW · « **Reply #212 on:** September 16, 2023, 05:21:58 pm »

Dustin hasn't been online for a while. You may want to ping them on discord?

Nakéen · « **Reply #213 on:** September 16, 2023, 05:50:45 pm »

AXIUS and Janus the Monster Secretary (Day 5: 1st Opportunity)

Quote from: Supernerd on September 16, 2023, 04:35:38 pm

I'll just do the default this time.

B - Contact David Arwell

Janus grabbed a phone and sat. He had the fierce aura of a negotiator right now.

"Hey dad, it's me."

"Janus I-"

"Sorry to interrupt you, I can't have you steal my thunder. Let's talk dad. Oh, and activate your camera, I want to see your face, and I want you to see mine."

Only visible through Janus glasses, an image of David had been reconstructed through augmented reality. The man looked exhausted, and his eyes were still a bit reddened from crying.

"Heh look at us! Pitiful isn't it? What are we, children? Hey dad. Tell me everything, I will listen. Oh and no apologies, okay?"

"Pulling my leg are you? Fine you stubborn son. I will try. I will try..."

David took a deep inspiration. He started clutching at an old emblem of a stylized bleeding bull head.

"David the Ironfist of the Ironblooded Minotaurs. That was me when I was a merc, from the Gariavia civil war to the Crisis of the Badlands. At first I was just in for the money no matter the job, but I ended up growing a conscience. After the civil war, we transitioned to escort missions of humanitarian convoys, and other more ethical missions. Our last mission was one of such escort missions. It was before the 3rd Conflict of the North."

His already somber visage darkened. He gathered his hands, as if praying.
"The pay was good. Too good. I should have seen it coming, but I messed up. Experimental chemical weapons were hidden among the convoy, and we unknowingly transported them through neutral territory. Later, I would realize it was all a setup to start the war. A false flag. Son. To me, I killed all the victims of Linder Vale. Their blood is on my hands. I still have nightmares about it."

Janus kept listening. He was stoic, but that could have been a front to maintain his composure.
"I found you under your mother's charred corpse, clutching at you. A miracle. So I took you in, thinking maybe it could help me atone. I founded Arwell with all my dirty money, tried to give a new life to those who lost everything to the war. The war I caused. Such an hypocrite."

Janus closed his eyes, collecting his thoughts. A lot of strong emotions were flaring right now, confusing him. He wanted to reassure his father, but part of him did hold it against him, as irrational as it seemed even to himself.
"What I am going to say may hurt you, dad. But I want you to listen without interrupting me. I hate that you waited so long to tell me this, your own son and Arwell executive. I'm no longer the boy you found in Linder Vale. I can hate, love, criticize all I want. I also hate that you are the indirect source of my trauma. I have nightmares too, you know. I was old enough to remember my mother, my father. My brother. The stench of burning flesh-"

He felt like puking. David seemed about to say something, but Janus raised his hand to tell him not to. He was sweating heavily, and Shino had placed a glass of water before him.
"I'm okay. Thanks. What I want to say, dad, is that we both have our problems. Our traumas. Our fates our bound, you caused it. All the reason to work together to fight against them, don't you think? Hey dad. Damn it, are you crying? Stop you damn- shit now my eyes are... blurry. Fuck. I love you dad, always did. I want us to fight together. Let's find Abi, and clear things up. Okay?"

Thick tears were streaming down David's cheeks, gathering in his short black beard. He managed to articulate a few words in-between the sobs.
"Okay son. I love you too."

They ended the call shortly after, promising to keep in contact to coordinate. Janus was still trying to hold back the tears, maybe to avoid losing face before someone else. He looked at Shino, who was sobbing in empathy without holding back.

"Operation successful. Haha."

Sobbing, Shino opened her arms for a hug.
"Tell me if *snif* this isn't appropriate."

Janus looked at the welcoming arms. He knew that if he let himself be hugged, the dam in his eyes would burst open.

Suggestions:

A - Attempt to track Abigail's location to attempt contact
Acceptance: Default Option
Success chance: 60% (-20% + 30% (Intellect) + 50% (Arwell Group Support))
Success: +Confidence, will attract dangerous attention
Failure: -Confidence, will make further attempts easier

B - Accept the hug, and cry.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: relationship with Shino starts developing into something romantic.

Spoiler: Janus the Monster Secretary (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: AXIUS (AI Research Society) (click to show/hide)

Dustan Hache · « **Reply #214 on:** September 16, 2023, 06:08:04 pm »

Quote from: Egan_BW on September 16, 2023, 05:21:58 pm

Dustin hasn't been online for a while. You may want to ping them on discord?

i was unaware that the game had been updated. i will start posting again, having been pinged

Egan_BW · « **Reply #215 on:** September 16, 2023, 06:11:29 pm »

E

"What's missing is that you haven't given him a chance. Think about it, your fondest memories, they weren't formed while you were alone. So have a talk. You can be as honest as you like."
Beep Boop allows its holographic visage to slip slightly, its smooth blue form glitching around the edges into bizarre iconography. This appears more more like an honest headfriend, and besides being a more suitable facade, it starts to feel more like Beep Boop's true form. Love isn't always good or always bad. If Beep Boop's mission should bring it to spark bad love, why not be a demon?

Dustan Hache · « **Reply #216 on:** September 16, 2023, 06:43:54 pm »

”I am inclined to request that you take a small break, as your body is exhibiting signs of accumulated stress, and it will negatively impact both your love life and your attempts to investigate the events. Your mental wellbeing is more important to me than internal issues with your family and their company.” Soulbinder said, straightening out his avatar’s attire slightly. it was the first time that they had done any form of animation beyond walking to keep within her line of sight in a unobstructing fashion when he had been called upon.
Option B: rest and destress.

Nakéen · « **Reply #217 on:** September 16, 2023, 09:03:21 pm »

Soulbinder and Helena the Clone Heiress (Day 5: 1st Opportunity)

Quote from: Dustan Hache on September 16, 2023, 06:43:54 pm

”I am inclined to request that you take a small break, as your body is exhibiting signs of accumulated stress, and it will negatively impact both your love life and your attempts to investigate the events. Your mental wellbeing is more important to me than internal issues with your family and their company.” Soulbinder said, straightening out his avatar’s attire slightly. it was the first time that they had done any form of animation beyond walking to keep within her line of sight in a unobstructing fashion when he had been called upon.
Option B: rest and destress.

B - Take a break.
Stress reduced by 1

"I guess I should. A short break then, I will resume later."

So said Helena, who went to lay down in the bed of a nearby bedroom. Exhausted as she was, what should have been a nap turned into a complete night sleep. It seems she had a dream that night, a recurrent dream. A girl without a name stuck in a cage of glass, filled with a translucent liquid. Maybe because of the dream, the girl could breath alright despite being submerged. Faceless shadows passed before her, none of them reacting to her silent cries for help. Then another her, a vivid reflection. Still pure in her ignorance, looking at her gave the girl solace. Solace...

"Ridiculous." She muttered as she woke up.

Helena looked at the time, sighing with disappointment about herself. Such a display of weakness in times as grave as those... The attendant prohibition she had demanded was still active, and so she freshened up herself alone. She was deep in thoughts, partly over the dream, partly over the current situation. Based on reports from the City Security Force, and those of the Teanossa security, some progress had been done since last night. Helios terrorists were apprehended, and an operation on one of their hideouts was scheduled for today. All this was, of course, highly confidential and "borrowed".

She continued accessing and studying confidential reports. To her it was not even tantamount to work, like someone would read a newspaper in the morning. The situation was worsening, whoever pulling the strings being intent on destroying the current order. Emboldened by Helios' action and maybe supported by hidden actors, groups hostile to the City who had until then been inactive had started moving. The CSF was on the highest level of alert, and had started to go on the offensive. Still, odds were not in their favor so far.

"I have a duty to accomplish. Wilfrid you fool, at such a time, I could really have used your support you know? Ha..."

A dilemma. To ask for help, or not? Her pride and cautious nature told her not to, but some assistance could help her uncover the mystery of the bombing before it was too late. Pride, or duty.

Suggestions:

A - Continue the investigation, alone. 2nd attempt.
Acceptance: Default Choice
Success Chance: 50% [20% (Base Difficulty) +60% (Intelligence, Innate Genius+) -30% (Stress)]
On a success: ++Stress ++Confidence, Will learn who is behind the attack, Will lead to crucial choices
On a failure: -Confidence ++Stress, will make further attempts easier

B - Contact the CSF.
Acceptance: 100%
Success Chance: 100%
Outcome: +20% success chance to A. The CSF will be involved.

C - Contact allies of the Teanossa.
Acceptance: 100%
Success Chance: 100%
Outcome: +10% success chance to A. Other parties will be involved.

Spoiler: Helena the Clone Heiress (Host) (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Soulbinder (Eugenia Corporation) (click to show/hide)

Supernerd · « **Reply #218 on:** September 16, 2023, 09:21:22 pm »

Going to go with option B here.

Dustan Hache · « **Reply #219 on:** September 16, 2023, 10:01:53 pm »

”Lady Teanossa. If I may make a suggestion, we could potentially reach out to Teren or other parties that might have connections. We should be careful who we contact, as the activity being detected definitely indicate a person with many strong allies or connections available. It may not be possible to maintain secure communications during this time as a direct result, and extra care should be taken before we make our next move”.
Convince her to seek help outside the major powers, albeit with warning as to the ramifications. have her avoid contacting the current pairing target or their family for safety and security reasons.

Nakéen · « **Reply #220 on:** September 17, 2023, 08:10:49 pm »

Update 22

Beep Boop and Mason the Old Vet (Day 5: 2nd Opportunity)

Quote from: Egan_BW on September 16, 2023, 06:11:29 pm

E

"What's missing is that you haven't given him a chance. Think about it, your fondest memories, they weren't formed while you were alone. So have a talk. You can be as honest as you like."
Beep Boop allows its holographic visage to slip slightly, its smooth blue form glitching around the edges into bizarre iconography. This appears more more like an honest headfriend, and besides being a more suitable facade, it starts to feel more like Beep Boop's true form. Love isn't always good or always bad. If Beep Boop's mission should bring it to spark bad love, why not be a demon?

E - Have a honest to goodness talk with Karl.
Acceptance Roll (vs 6): [7]
B - Go along for the mission.
Default

(Fuck. I'm starting to hallucinate my conscience again. Gaaah, okay.)

Mason raised his arms to show he was giving up.
"You win this round, voice in my head. Okay boy, come with me to the sparring ground."

Karl was surprised. He knew enough about Mason to understand that it meant the grumpy veteran was open to talk. He wasn't going to give up on this one in a thousand chance, and quickly tapped something on a tablet.
"I have reserved a slot in room E2. Let's go"

(...)

Karl was kneeling on the ground, a bit bruised despite the protective gear.
"9 to 2, come on! You can do better you wuss! You are not yet at retirement age, come on!"
"Look who is talking. Pfuh. Ready for round 12."

They exchanged a few blows and feints, and this time Karl managed to land a clean hit on Mason, following up with a hold. Mason tapped, earning Karl the round.
"3 to 9. I still got a way to go. Care about a break?"
"Sure, I was getting thirsty" groaned Mason.

The two men were sitting on a bench, each drinking from a thermos.
"You called me here. I'm all ears, Mason."

Mason gulped audibly, maybe on purpose. And exaggeratedly sighed and stretched like a big cat.
"Grmm. I won't apologise about last time, but it's not because I don't like you boy, or the other younguns. It's, you know. Maybe I'm getting old. My head isn't always were it should be, and I miss the good old times. And there is something else, but, bleh. I don't know. Hey, I was wondering. You lasted longer than I expected, what do you see in me anyway?"

"Well, you got the skills as I told you already. And as a leader, I have a responsibility to care about my squad too."

"Nah you don't get it boy. Not as a leader. As you, the boy. See, that's the thing. Back then, we made no difference between... no that's not it. Being a mercenary, a soldier, a dog... it wasn't just a job. It was a way of life, our true self."

His face seemed to light up.
"Fuck that's it. THAT'S IT. For you, it's just a job. For me, it's my life."

Karl clasped his hands together, thinking.
"That's a job for me, yes. I really like that job, it gives me a sense of purpose. But if there was another, better way, I guess I wouldn't be opposed to trying it out. Still, does that make us so incompatible?"

"It doesn't", thought Mason somewhere in a sane corner of his mind. He partially knew he was the one forcing that incompatibility on them.
"You still haven't really answered my question."

"Don't be offended then. You seemed lonely to me when we first met. Still does."

Mason violently stood up, shouting.
"What are you on about? Lonely me? Bah! I don't need anyone!"

There was a short, heavy blank as both men stared at each other. Mason sat back down with all his weight, causing the bench to shake. He was now looking in the direction opposite to Karl.
"Fucking pussy. I regret asking" he muttered. It was unclear who he was referring to.

"You are a softie boy. It will get you killed sooner or later. Not that I care. But, well. I guess I can put in some more work until you croak. I will try to. Don't take it to heart. Okay?"

"That means a lot. Thanks Mason, if you have our back, I'm not worried."

Mason turned toward Karl, a barely perceptible hint of softness on his wrinkly face.
"Don't haunt me over that if you die though."

(...)

Later on, Squad H was deployed in the western wharf, docks DA-1 to DA-8. They were the spear of the operation, with a few other squads supporting them.

It all went without a hitch, especially since Mason was very cooperative for once.

[Heather: Sorry for the chitchat leader, but what happened to Mason? He is being... incredibly cooperative to a point it's scary.]

[Mason: Oh that's why I hate kids! Always gossiping! And you got three targets 30° 50m from your position Heather!]

[Heather: Copy.]

[Dan: For real, is that really Mason? ]

[Mason: Leader! I'm already regretting everything! Get a leash on your dogs, damn it!]

Mason couldn't help smiling as he trash-talked his squadmates.

[Suzanne: Suzanne speaking. I have located the Helios hideout in DA-4. Awaiting further orders.]

[Karl: Great job Suzanne. If we wait for the other squads, some Helios members may escape. But we would be taking extra risk by rushing in, what are your thoughts everyone?]

[Relationships Updated]
++Mutual Opinion with Karl
+Mutual Opinion with the rest of Squad H

Suggestion:

A - Leak to Mason the whereabouts of Wilfrid S. [CUPID authorized leak]
Outcome: Mason will try to find Wilfrid.

B - Have Mason suggest waiting for the other squads.
Acceptance: Default Option
Success Chance: 100% (20% (Base) + 50% (Squad H) + 30% (other squads))
Success: the Operation is successful, but some Helios members may escape.

C - Have Mason suggest rushing in without waiting the others.
Acceptance: 100%
Success Chance: 70% (20% (Base) + 50% (Squad H))
Success: the Operation is successful, and all Helios members are captured or eliminated. Mason loses Stress.
Failure: the Squad may suffer injuries, or even lose someone. Mason gains Stress.

D - Have Mason suggest he rushes in, solo.
Acceptance: 100%
Success Chance: 50% (0% (Base) + 40% (Athletics) + 40% (General Fighting Abilities) -30% (Stress))
Success: the Operation is successful, and all Helios members are captured or eliminated. Mason loses 2 Stress. Mason gains 1 Confidence.
Failure: Mason gains Stress. Mason loses Confidence. Mason may suffer an injury.

Spoiler: Mason the Old Vet (by Egan_BW) (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Beep Boop (OTP Cabal) (click to show/hide)

AXIUS and Janus the Monster Secretary (Day 5: 2nd Opportunity)

Quote from: Supernerd on September 16, 2023, 09:21:22 pm

Going to go with option B here.

B - Accept the hug, and cry.
A - Attempt to track Abigail's location to attempt contact
Success roll (vs 0): [10]

Swept by the teary mood, Janus exceptionally let himself get embraced and comforted. It was a friendly, reassuring embrace. Shino patted his head which did surprise him a bit, saying "There, there" while still sobbing a bit.

"Hrm hey. Didn't we agree I'm not a child?"
"Sorry, force of habit.".
"Sheesh. Haha. I will let that pass."

Janus let the tears out into warm streams, but he did not embrace Shino back. He still had some pride left, after all. They stayed like this for a while, until Shino let go.
"That went well?".
"It did. Thanks for the push. I feel a lot better now. Oh and you should probably wash your face a bit, just saying."
"Oh right... I will do that. That goes for you too."
"I will do it later. I would like to keep looking miserable for a little bit."

Shino nodded, and excused herself.

(...)

Later on, David recontacted Janus to cooperate on finding Abigail's whereabouts. Using the full might and connections of the Arwell Group, they managed to trace her location: a remote mansion on a domain belonging to the infamous Teanossa family. They were unable to find any information about this mansion: who lived there, or if it was even in use.

Relationship updated:
+Shino and Janus now view themselves in a romantic light.

Suggestions:

A - Try to gather information about that place.
Acceptance: 100%
Success chance: 80% (0% + 30% (Intellect) + 50% (Arwell Group Support))
Success: will learn more about that mansion and its current owner.
Failure: won't learn anything.

B - Contact the Teanossa family, at least what remains of it.
Acceptance: 100%
Success chance: 70% (30% (Base) + 40% (Speech+Charisma))
Success: will learn more about that mansion and its current owner. The Teanossa will be involved.
Failure: won't learn anything. The Teanossa will be involved.

C - Head there without preparations.
Acceptance: Default Option
Outcome: it will be dangerous. Someone will get hurt, or even die.

Spoiler: Janus the Monster Secretary (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: AXIUS (AI Research Society) (click to show/hide)

Soulbinder and Helena the Clone Heiress (Day 5: 2nd Opportunity)

Quote from: Dustan Hache on September 16, 2023, 10:01:53 pm

”Lady Teanossa. If I may make a suggestion, we could potentially reach out to Teren or other parties that might have connections. We should be careful who we contact, as the activity being detected definitely indicate a person with many strong allies or connections available. It may not be possible to maintain secure communications during this time as a direct result, and extra care should be taken before we make our next move”.
Convince her to seek help outside the major powers, albeit with warning as to the ramifications. have her avoid contacting the current pairing target or their family for safety and security reasons.

D - Contact allies (Teren R.), that do not involve major powers.
A - Continue the investigation. 2nd attempt.
Parties involved: Teren R, minor powers.
Success Chance (vs 5): [5] -Success-
++Stress
++Confidence

Following your suggestion, Helena reached out to Teren R, sending him an encrypted message.

Quote from: Encrypted message from Helena

Sir Terren, this is a personal, selfish request of mine. I am looking for what I believe is the true culprit behind the abhorrent bombing that targeted my family.

I would be in your debt if you would lend me your assistance. Not as a Teanossa, but as Helena.

She received a reply in the next five minutes. It simply said "Tell me how can I help". She felt relieved, and set to work with renewed energy and confidence. She sent a few more of such messages to her scarce allies she hoped she could count on.

(...)

Was it because of her night of rest? Because of the new evidence that appeared over night? Of the help she received from Teren and the few allies who responded positively? Everything seemed to unveil, unwrap much more easily, so much so it was scarying her a bit. Maybe it was also because the one behind it allowed it, that wouldn't be impossible.

Knots after knots came undone. With each step, Helena came closer to that person, to the culprit. With each uncontestable evidence, each doubt became clearer, sharper. Like needles slowly penetrating her heart. And then all doubts became facts. Facts she hoped had remained conjectures.

Devastated. She was trembling, was her heartbeat irregular, or was it her imagination? Suffocating. She wanted to cry and laugh, she wanted to reject this reality. To wake up.

"It- it's her."

A tear pearled down her face. She nearly chocked on that name.

"Helene."

It was all over. She had failed. Everything she had worked toward, even if she had to walk a path of thorns, for naught. She felt about to break. Her head was spinning, her legs felt weak.

She took a deep breath, and lurched over a bed. There, she started talking to herself.

"What are you planning Helene?... Revenge? Was separating me from Wilfrid also her plan? What should I do Wilfrid..."

She closed her eyes. Trying to focus, to recollect her thoughts in disarray.

"Duty... and pride."

She looked at you, silently asking for your advice.

Suggestions:
Note:

A - Go and confront Helene.
Acceptance: 50% (50% (Base) +20% (Confidence) -20% (Trauma))
Outcome: Will lead to further choices involving Helene. Will lead to opportunities to use the Very-High Security Secrets.
Warning: CUPID estimates there is a high probability of Helena dying.

B - Expose Helene's involvement to the CSF.
Acceptance: 30% (50% (Base) +20% (Confidence) -20% (Trauma) - 20% (Reluctance))
Outcome: Helena gains Stress. The CSF will be involved.

C - Reject Helene's involvement.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: Time will pass. Helena loses 2 Stress. Helena loses 2 Sanity.

D - Wait.
Acceptance: Default Option.
Outcome: Time will pass. Helena gains Stress. Helena loses Confidence.

Spoiler: Helena the Clone Heiress (Host) (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Soulbinder (Eugenia Corporation) (click to show/hide)

Nakéen · « **Reply #221 on:** September 17, 2023, 08:37:48 pm »

Important notice! I'm thinking of concluding this playtest around update 27-30, when the current storylines should be concluded.

Maybe another game will pop up afterward.

Supernerd · « **Reply #222 on:** September 17, 2023, 09:57:30 pm »

AXIUS

Going to direct him to option A.

Dustan Hache · « **Reply #223 on:** September 17, 2023, 10:11:07 pm »

Soulbinder didn't answer for a few minutes, trying to process a means of handling the revelation without further stressing out his charge or putting their life in danger. Still, a confrontation was not just needed, but required in these circumstances. he looked to helena, meeting her gaze calmly. ”I do not think we can ignore this. We have to contact her. however, doing so in person carries intolerable amounts of risk, especially given her actions. I propose we attempt to reach out to her indirectly. You do posess information with which to contact her, correct? Allow me to serve as a relay.”
Offer to attempt contact with Helene, acting to maintain anonymity as best as possible while they communicated. Let Helena decide how she should confront her sister, or if she should at all. Do not under any circumstance allow Helena to come to harm.

Egan_BW · « **Reply #224 on:** September 18, 2023, 12:20:02 am »

"I give you even odds you could take them all out on your own. Do you like those odds?"

Bay 12 Games Forum

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